Awesome questions hiphop.
What would you think if someone who has finished his studies in Europe wants to work as an assistant in a law firm? If that person has the right degree, seems intelligent and able to do the job, would you consider this person just as much valuable as an American with the same kind of degree? Or more valuable, or less valuable for certain reasons?
While I?ve only worked for small to medium sized law firms, I would say that an individual with a European undergraduate degree would be of equal or greater value to the American counterpart. A comparison of law degrees is more difficult. Some firms will not consider an applicant unless they have law degrees from certain law schools in America. Otherwise, most firms are concerned about how well you did in law school, whether you have or will pass the state bar exam, how you think and how you relate to the people you interview. If you have a law degree from a European university, the biggest challenge is educating the law firm about your university (as they probably don?t know a thing about the European universities).
Sure, the decision would be based on equal chances for everyone. But what would you think?
Another question: do you think that someone who wants a fine career in the States must live "the American way of life"? Does this depend on where you work?
The ?American? way of life is as varied as the people who live here. If you live in larger, metropolitan areas, you will find greater diversity. If you live in smaller, rural areas, lifestyles will be more homogeneous.
F.e. if a European works in a little town, would people look at him/her like a stranger (without being racist, just because they see sth. different)? Would they see him/her less strange if he/she does some "typically American things", like jogging, driving around in a car, not smoking in the street, not cursing or being angry in public, being politically correct
I think someone from California would appear just as strange in some rural towns. As with anything, it would be a process of learning the local culture and giving the locals a chance to learn who you are.
Would the neighbors watch someone who is an artist, always strange music, etc., with more suspicion than someone who leads a very regular life?
Again, my guess is that only in the smallest rural areas have a homogeneous, ?regular? life. People have a natural tendency to fear what they don?t know. If they don?t know you, then they will probably be more suspicious.
Is there a big difference of "being able to feel anonymous" between a small city like, say, Nashville (not that small, I know), and NYC or L.A.?
I felt I could live fairly anonymously in a small city like Toledo Ohio. In LA or NYC, it is almost impossible to not feel anonymous.
This all goes down to: how much does a stranger have to adopt - thats not meant offensive, I mean just in order to feel well and accepted by Americans?
That is fairly hard to answer. Given the diversity in Southern California, I would say very little effort is needed to adapt. As for a feeling of acceptance, sadly I don?t think most people care about their neighbors. Indifference is more prevalent than rejection.
How much does one need to adopt in his/her job? Is company policy very important in America?
Each company has its own culture. Sometimes it is dictated by written policy. Sometimes it is set by the personality of a founding member of the company. Everyone who starts a new job needs to learn the culture of their employer.
How often do Americans job-hop actively? Considering that everything is in recession, how many people change the company they work for every year or every two years? What would make a better impression - if an applicant for a job shows he?s been working for one company for many (four, five) years and therefore shows he can be very loyal, or if an applicant has changed often and therefore shows he can be a shark? What counts more, old values or new values?
This varies by industry. Growth industries tend to have higher turn-over as people keep trying to move to better and better positions, new companies try to take the best employees of larger companies, etc. A few years ago, people in the tech industry would change jobs frequently and it was considered normal. In core industries, longevity is valued.
How about style rules? Is it important to be dressed in a good suit, to show very classical good manners? Do men still kiss on the hand? Or would that seem snobbish? Instead, would it be more important to go to the right parties, to know the right people, to contact them regularly?
Again, each company/firm/industry is different. Good manners are never out of style. Otherwise, you need to take the cues from the existing culture in order to thrive. I wore a nice suit when I interviewed for my current job, but then realized that few people wear ties (the new ?business casual?). Thus, my wardrobe shifted to the nice end of the ?dress code?. Kissing on the hand may quaint or charming the first time, but it is rarely done here and may become a distraction.
And one more question: how about an accent? Is a European accent considered charming or disconcerting f.e. in making a deal?
In the majority of places, it would be considered a pleasant change. In some rural areas, the response may be ?you talk funny?. Overall, I would consider it a neutral to positive factor in most businesses.
Hope this is helpful in some way.